Extremely Dangerous Tornado Rips Roofs in Wisconsin
Sandego.net – An extremely dangerous tornado ripped roofs off homes and knocked out power for thousands in northeast Wisconsin on Monday afternoon. The storm tore through parts of Menasha and Appleton, uprooting trees and leaving residents scrambling for shelter. Local authorities are responding to numerous storm-related calls and have urged residents to stay indoors as they assess the damage. ⛈️ Track the storms in the CNN Weather app
The National Weather Service described the tornado as “extremely dangerous,” issuing a particularly dangerous situation warning — the second-highest level — shortly after 12 p.m. central time Monday. After hitting Menasha, the tornado moved over Lake Winnebago and dissipated over water. It was observed for at least 20 minutes from near Appleton to the northern coast of the lake.
Power Outages and Damage Assessment
The tornado‘s strength rating is at least EF-2, according to a preliminary damage survey by the National Weather Service. The survey is ongoing, and more information will be released soon. Homes in Appleton have been completely destroyed with roofs ripped off, along with trees being uprooted and split, drone footage shows.
The entire city of Menasha may be without power, according to a post from Menasha Utilities, a municipally owned company. More than 15,000 customers are without power in Winnebago and Calumet counties, where Menasha is located, according to PowerOutage.us. More than 18,000 customers are without power in neighboring Outagamie County, where Appleton is primarily located.
Winnebago County officials on Monday afternoon reported extensive damage — including downed power lines and trees, and other hazardous situations — but exact details were unavailable as many roads remained impassable. CNN has reached out to authorities for more information.
Weather Warning and Safety Information
“If you are currently in your home or currently stuck in the area that has been damaged, we ask that you shelter in place and stay inside,” Menasha Police Chief Matthew Albrecht said during a news conference Monday.
Preliminary reports from NWS Green Bay indicate that the tornado first touched down at 11:56 a.m., meaning that there was not a tornado warning in advance of the tornado, according to a CNN analysis. There was a severe thunderstorm warning issued at 11:13 a.m. that mentioned damaging winds, and the possibility of a tornado was mentioned in an update to the warning at 11:21 a.m.
Earlier Monday, a 29-year-old man was killed in Whitewater, Wisconsin, from a suspected lightning strike as storms moved across the area, according to a news release from Whitewater Fire and EMS. The man was part of a tree trimming crew for an area energy utility.
More than 390,000 customers were without power in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana as severe thunderstorms with damaging winds tracked across the region. One cluster of storms from south of Chicago into neighboring northwest Indiana was warned for wind gusts up to 100 mph. A Level 3 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in effect Monday for a large part of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, primarily for these powerful winds.
FAQ: Tornado Safety and Recovery
Q: What should I do if I’m in the affected area? A: Shelter in place and stay inside. Watch for downed power lines, do not drive around road closures, and avoid the area unless absolutely necessary.
Q: How long might power outages last? A: Menasha Utilities has not provided an estimated restoration time. With more than 15,000 customers affected in Winnebago and Calumet counties, crews are working to assess damage before beginning repairs.
Q: Are more tornadoes expected? A: Large hail is also a threat in these regions, but additional isolated tornadoes are possible. A Level 3 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms remains in effect for the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.
This story has been updated with additional information. CNN’s Sharif Paget and Ritu Prasad contributed to this report.
